Bonjour!

Today was the best day of this trip so far! We woke up and went to the hostel breakfast - which, by the way, is absolutely delicious. Then we headed to the ITU, which stands for International Telecommunication Union. They gave a presentation about what exactly they do and how they work to connect the world in many ways and continue to improve those communication channels. After a lecture, we got to walk around the telecommunications museum right upstairs. It was interactive and there were things to touch and pick up and play with. I liked seeing how drastic difference between the very first cell phone ever made by Nokia and the phones we can choose from today. It was really interesting and I learned much more than I thought because I thought I already knew most of what they would be talking about from the communications classes I had taken at VT. It is pretty surreal to think how far we have come today from the first cave paintings so many years ago.

After the ITU tour, it was a free day to do whatever we wanted to. So, naturally, the girls and I went to the town center and went window shopping and found a great little restaurant with the most delicious cheese fondue! The heart of Geneva is so beautiful. It really has the cobblestone streets that you would imagine you would see in a movie. Every street was absolutely stunning with the old time charm with the little chocolatier shops, bread shops, creperies and everything you could ever want. Erin and I got lost in the center with our friend Mikayla trying to track down an ATM but everyone was so nice and helpful that it made finding an ATM fun and an adventure. I definitely felt as though we were not judged or stared at for being American as we were in France. The Swiss people are so happy and carefree and I love everything about Geneva. You cannot understand how beautiful it really is until you visit it yourself and see the sun set on the Alps over Geneva Lake. After tracking down an ATM, we met back up with all of the girls and walked around and window shopped for hours. There was a Christian Loubitan, Chanel, Elie Saab, H&M, Cartier, and so many other awesome stores. The Swiss people were dressed to impress and I really felt like it was out of a movie with the fashionable people against the stunning background of the fountain and the mountains. Don't even get me started on the chocolate! Swiss chocolate is the most delicious thing I have ever tasted! The ladies that work there even have the white gloves that make picking out each individual piece of chocolate so delicate and important. Of course we all got something to taste and we all loved every second of it. If I ever go back to Switzerland, I will go to the chocolate shop first! If you can't tell, I loved everything about Geneva. It was so beautiful and I can honestly say I liked it even better than Paris which is a lot coming from me since I am the girly romantic that loves Paris.

After a long day of shopping and great food and seeing the sights, not to mention taking a billion pictures, we all headed back the hostel for dinner with everyone. The hostel surprisingly has really great breakfast and dinners. My room in the hostel was better than my dorm back in Evry by far, too! I clearly loved everything about Geneva! I really loved getting to have five girls in my room with bunk beds instead of just me in my room back in Evry which is not nearly as social and fun. After dinner, we all headed to the lake and hung out in the grass with everyone! It was such a beautiful night and even at night, it is such a safe place to be. We had a great time hanging out and enjoying the beauty of Geneva with the fountain in the background and all of the lights that line the other side of the lake. I didn't want the night to end because it means that we have to leave the tomorrow after touring the United Nations. I'm really excited to see what the UN is like and I am sure I will take a lot of pictures!

Basically, summed up, I love Geneva and don't want to leave tomorrow!

Au Revoir!

Tori